Special Service and Features
MOBILE FAIR PRICE SHOPS TO REACH THE UNREACHED IN UNDER-CONNECTED AND DIFFICULT TERRAIN
Food security of the nation is in the safe and secure hands of the toiling farmers. Union government is implementing various schemes for the benefit of farmers to double their income and procuring food grains. Public distribution system and ration shops which distribute these food grains are the saviour for crores of people affected by Covid 19 pandemic lockdown. Union and state governments have announced free food grains to all card holders till November in addition to their monthly entitlements. One nation one ration card scheme also is effectively implemented to enable the migrant labourers and others to draw their monthly rations from near by ration shops. Along with food grains, fortified rice also is distributed to ensure nutrient rich food for all, through ration shops. In addition, Mobile fair price shops have really benefitted the public affected by lockdown.
In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister announced the launching of 3501 mobile fair price shops all over the state. The scheme is being implemented at a cost of Rs 9.66 crore for the benefit of people living in remote and hilly areas. This will benefit more than 5.37 lakh ration card holders in 38 districts of the state. The mobile fair price shop scheme was started in Tamil Nadu way back in 2014 with 48 mobile fair price shops launched to serve 277 villages in various districts like Trichy, Tirupur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore and 54 streets in Chennai serving 27420 ration card holders.
In Tiruchirapalli, a mobile fair price shop was inaugurated by state ministers Shri Vellamandi Natarajan and Smt Valarmathi on Thursday. This will benefit more than 120 ration card holders residing at Vasan Valley. Essential commodities will be sold in this mobile fair price shop once a month by a designated salesman. The third Thursday of every month has been earmarked for distribution of essentials to cardholders of Vasan Valley. This scheme is being extended to new localities now after growing demand among public for mobile fair price shops especially during covid 19 lockdown.
One nation one ration card scheme was implemented in 32 districts of Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Trichy Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu from October 1, 2020. In six districts including Thoothukudi, Thanjavur, Virudunagar, Ramanathapuram, Madurai and Tiruvannamalai it will be implemented from October 16. Under the scheme, one kilo rice will be charged Rs 3 and one kilo wheat Rs 2 as per central issue price. Biometric authentication of ration card holders are being done in ration shops. In Tiruchirapalli, ration card holders are being given fortified rice blended with iron, folic acid, vitamin B12. This will ensure proper nutrition to children, women, adolescent girls and elderly people to prevent anaemia and other disorders. The centrally sponsored pilot scheme on fortification of rice and its Distribution under Public Distribution System for a period of three years has been started in Tiruchirapalli on October 1.
Public distribution system has shown its relevance especially during covid 19 lockdown times. The ration shops have been very beneficial to public especially common man in ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential items. Additionally, Mobile fair price shops ensure supply of essential items to public who are in remote distant and hilly places.
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